Fernando Alonso has revealed that he expects to quit F1 once his contract with McLaren comes to an end.

Arguably one of the finest talents to grace the sport, albeit also one of the most difficult, many will feel that the Spaniard should have more than two titles to his name.

Having left Ferrari, having finished championship runner-up three times with the Maranello outfit, Alonso stunned the racing world by returning to the team where he was 'involved' in one of the biggest scandals ever to grace the sport, Spygate.

Now, as McLaren struggles to make it to Q2 far less challenge for podiums, his old team looks as though it might be able to mount a challenge to Mercedes.

Speaking to reporters in Shanghai, a circuit where he enjoyed victories with Renault and Ferrari, the Spaniard admitted that his deal with McLaren will be his last.

"I think after fifteen, sixteen or seventeen years in Formula One, whatever it will be, it's enough," he said, 2015 being his fourteenth year of racing in F1. "I will close the loop,” he added, "I will close part of my life.

"I started with a McLaren when I was three years old," he continued, referring to a pedal car his father bought for him. "I will finish with a McLaren but the real one in Formula One and that will be one-third of my life with a great experience, with great memories, with great friendships."

Referring to his time with Ferrari, he said: "Five fantastic years, we've been very close two times to winning the championship and I only have good memories and good feelings. But it was enough. To keep doing lap after lap, year after year, that was not anymore my motivation.

"It's challenging but I'm looking forward, starting in a new team, with a new project," he concluded. "This makes me happy and makes me full. I was not happy with my mind and my soul anymore."

However, we know from experience that what Alonso says and what he does can be two entirely different things, and should the right vacancy occur he will be eager to make the move... and almost every team out there will be equally eager to sign him.

What better reason for Lewis Hamilton to bite the bullet and conclude his Mercedes deal.

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